I'm an incoming freshman at Wake, and since I'd just gone through the hellish college application process, I figured I'd make a CC account and help some of y'all who might want a cut-to-the-chase answer to questions you may have about Wake Forest specifically.
I know that the admissions websites can be tricky to navigate, so like I said, if I can help even just one of you out, I think it'll be worthwhile.
ask away!
**my info**
High school type: home-schooled with dual enrollment at a comm. coll. and UNC-Greensboro
HS GPA (un weighted): 3.94 after 7 semesters, 3.89 graduating (senioritis, folks. xD)
SAT: CR: 700, M: 600, W: 670
ACT: Eng: 35, M: 30, R: 30, Sci: 27
SAT ii Literature: 720
SAT ii US History: 710
notable extracurriculars: triple palm eagle scout, interned with district attorney, 14th place nationally at FFA convention, instructor at local cotillion club, worked as an umpire for little league baseball, played golf and basketball (team captian sr. year), 200+ community service hours, and other smaller stuff.
Well, the application process for Wake wasn't hellish at all. I'm going to Wake on an Army ROTC scholarship though, and the waiting game with that (long story) meant that there was a lot of indecision. The process with Wake Forest University itself was pretty painless.
I decided on Wake because of my major, first of all. They're the only university in North Carolina with a Chinese Language major. I wanted to go to a smaller school as well. I had looked at schools like UNC and Clemson, and the big school environment just didn't appeal to me. Wake has a small school atmosphere with big school advantages (ACC Division I athletics, well known alumni, etc). Also, getting a full scholarship to go there through the Army didn't hurt my decision making process either.
I'll be honest with your second question. Statistically, there is a good amount of diversity at Wake. The Magnolia Scholars program at Wake, which gives huge (if not full) scholarships to first generation college students, really helps out with that. However, there is a definite "upper class" feel to Wake. Most of the students are very preppy, come from old southern aristocratic families, and tend to be Christian, conservative, and Caucasian. That's definitely the vibe you get when you visit campus. But, like I said, there are plenty of people with different backgrounds. There are so many niches at Wake that the only excuse any person could have for not getting into a good circle of friends quickly would be lack of initiative.
what is the interview like? I am living overseas because my step dad is in the military therefore i will be using skype. who typically does the interview? how long does it last? is it really 25 minutes (shorter/longer?) what should i know or prepare myself with to knock out the interview?
and on another note, are you happy there? if you were to do it all over again would you choose Wake?
Do not be worried about the Skype interview! Just be yourself. They will probably just ask you basic questions (Why do you want to come to Wake? Tell me about yourself. What extracurriculars do you do? What is your favorite subject? Are you reading anything right now?) Every interviewer is a little different. Some of my friends had interviews that lasted ~15 minutes. Mine went ~35 minutes.
pinkcupcake14,
I am really anxious about my upcoming interview with Wake. I have an on-campus interview at the end of this week. While I have reviewed basic interview questions asked, I was wondering what is some specific advice you have for being impressionable on the Wake interviewer? Can you recall any of the specific question they asked you? And how did you prepare for your interview? Any tiny little piece of advice you have to offer will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Don't be anxious! Doing an in-person interview is already showing that you are very interested in the school. Reviewing basic interview questions is the most helpful thing you can do!
I prepared for my interview by reviewing my academic/extracurricular record, remembering the reasons I liked Wake, reviewing current events, etc. Nothing they ask you should be extremely difficult -- questions will definitely differ by interviewer. Just be yourself!
It is different based on interviewer. Also, the supplement changes every year so I'm not sure what is on it anymore. Hopefully you remember what you put on it, though :-)
Well, I'm not at Wake yet. But I had my interview a few weeks ago. And I've been accepted ED, so I'd just love to share my experience with the interview on here. It wasn't stressful at all for me. Just come in prepared to have a conversation with whoever your interviewer is. I consider myself very extroverted, but I feel like the interviewer does a good job even making it doable for an introvert. I talked about everything from my extracurricular to current events to why I wanted to go to Wake. They didn't mention my supplements (I think because not everyone submits their app before interviewing). Just be yourself, show passion, and hopefully this will all work out for the best. Go Deacs!
Hi I am wondering is it ok to choose test optional in Wake if all my GPA, APs are good ,only SAT sucks....?
Also, if I am in California, is interview still required?
Raza123, According to the Common Data Set, Wake Forest does track interest when looking at your application. In terms of the interview, none of us on College Confidential are inside the interviewers heads. There are also many different interviewers, so some look for somethings and others look for others. Overall, I think Wake just wants to see how you would fit into the Wake Forest community during the interview. I think they'd like to see somebody open and loose rather than somebody closed and rigid, but more or less, I think they'd just like to see who you are. So to stand out, I would just be yourself.
